Sheet-spacing machine



Sept. 9, 1941. C, F PFLANZE 2,255,083

SHEET-SPACINQ MACHINE A INVENTOR CHARLES E PFLANZE ATTORNEY .Sept 9, 1941. c, F PFLANZE 2,255,083

SHEET-SPAGING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvNToR CHARLES F. PFLANZE ATTORNEY.

Sept, 9, 1941.

C. F. PFLANZE SHEET-SPACING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Sept'. 9, 1941. c. F. PFLANzE l2,255,083

SHEET-SPACING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1939 6 Sheetsl-Sheet '4 FIGA.

X* w A m v .INVENTOR F168' CHARLES F. PFLANZE ATTORNEY.

Sept. 9, 1941. c. F. PFLANZE SHEET-SPACING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5- lNvENToR' CHARLES l-T PFLANzE ATTORNEY.

c. F. PFLANzE 2,255,083

SHEET-snows MACHINE Filed July' 27, 19:59

Sept, 9, 1941.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 CHARLES F. PFLANZF ATTORNEY Patented sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE 2.255.033 t sanar-sesenta montan charles F. raam, University city. n. Application July 27, 1939, Serial No. 286,787

-15Claima.

This invention presents new and useful im-A provements in sheet-spacing machines of the type used for separating stacked or piled sheets or blanks and forwarding them in a regularly predetermined, overlapped, spaced relationship for printing, glueing, stamping, or the like. More specifically, this invention comprises a simplified form of rotary sheet-spacing mechanism, in which a pile of sheets are removably supported ina holder and whereby the forward end of the low''rmost sheet is adapted to be seized upon its underside by means of an oscillatory suction armand lowered into the bights formed by a pair "of upper, laterally spaced, roller segments with a lower, single, elongated roller. The machine desirably includes a pair or intermediate,

rotary, separator disks and reciprocatory stop pins serving to separate and retain the successive upper sheets until seized by the suction arm.

l'lne sheets, upon being brought down into the bight of the upper roller segments and the lower roller, are by means or tne rotary frictional contact' therebetween forced forwardly onto spacing and conveyor belts, which tend to advance the overlapped sheets away from the rollers. A forwardiy extended spacing arm, having an alined, adjustably depended surface guide strip, is pivotaily mounted upon the upper rear portion of the machine and is spring set so as to benormaiiy forced downwardly upon one of the aforementioned belts. A roller is adiustably depended lfrom the spacing arm freely astride the depended guide strip so as to be rotated by the central spacing belt. As the sheets are moved forwardly onto 'the'be1ts, being guided thereon by the guide strip,l 'they pass beneathH the before-mentioned rollers whereby 'the sheets are spaced in 8- regular overlapped relationship thereto, this spacing, or

calibration, being retained by means of additional creases the efliciency of the machine and speeds up production, and assures a higher degree of 56 -10 increasing or decreasing the accuracy of the machine at a materially increased speed of operation.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a constant driving system for the spacing and A 5 conveyor belts wherein all the` belts are caused to travel at the same constant rate of speed, and in which is employed a pair of external gears which may be easily and rapidly changed so as -to increase or decrease the belt speed, thereby spacing of the blanks.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for arranging and advancing sheets in tanned out relation which 15 comprises, in combination, a support for a stack of sheets, -roller mechanism 'comprising opposed rotary members for intermittently gripping sheets between them to advance the sheets step by step, means for periodically placing the leading '20 margins ofthe sheetsfrom the stack'one after another in the space between the rotary members, subsequently acting mechanism for engaging and advancing each sheet only after it has been advanced through a plurality 'of steps by the roller .35 .mechanism and means for. holding stationary rotary members are during a period when the out of sheet grippingrelation to one another, a `partially advanced sheet between the rotary o members which has become disengaged from the 'stack and which would otherwise be uncontrolled in such period.

` With the foregoing and such other objects in view as will later appear in the specification, reference will be had to the accompanying draw- 35 ings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the machine'as viewed from the operators positlonthis being the side of the machine on which the operator positions o himself, and as here shown the successive machines and connecting belts have been removed. Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine as viewed from thel opposite side of Fig. 1. a motor drive being here shown.

l partial vertical sectional view of the machine as viewed in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial angular, top view, partly in section, of the'head oi' the machine, showing the feeding mechanism.

so Fig. 5 is a partialtop view. partly in section. of

the head of the machine, showing the ci mechanism. spa ng Fig. 6 is an enlarged, vertical, medial, sectional view through the upper part ofthe machin viewed from the side. f e as Fig. 'I is an enlarged, perspective view of the fixed type of segmental roller as shown on the machine.

Fig'. 8 is an enlarged, partial longitudinal, sectional view of the spacing device.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View of the upper end of the blank holder, showing the threaded suction connection thereto.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of an adjustable type suction connection as SIlOWlIlIlnF'lLlVv Fig. 11 is an enlarged top view f the uppe end of the blank holder, showing the adjustable form of suction connection thereto.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, diagrammatic view of some of the principal inventive features of the invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, perspective view of an adjustable type segmental roller.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view of the ratchet blank holder, the outer end of the oscillatory suction arm being shown therebelow.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the reciprocatory stop pin cam and arm that operates in synchronization with the separator disks.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged, partial rear view of the suction arm, actuating cam, and follower mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a side view of Fig. 16.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that they illustrate an envelope spacing machine A, in which are' embodied my inventive features, this type of machine being shown merely for the purpose of exempliiication.

As here shown, the machine comprises, in general, a pair of base or mounting frames B and a head frame C. A power shaft I8 is transversely `iournaled through the rear, vertical portion I9 of the base frames near the bottom thereof and, as here shown, is connected to a motor drive 2II by means of a belt 2I whereby the power shaft is supplied with motive power. A sprocket gear 22, rigidly mounted upon the power shaft, is connected by a sprocket chain 23 to, a similar sprocket gear 24 keyed to a shaft 25 journaled through the front, lower part of the head C, botli' of the aforementioned sprocket gears being positioned within the frame of the machine at one side thereof. A spur gear 26. in juxtaposition with the sprocket gear 24 upon theshaft 25 and adapted to be driven in unison therewith, is provided for driving a gear 21 mounted upon a shaft 28. This shaft 28 has a sprocket gear 29 secured upon its outer end externally of the frame on the operators side of the machine. A similar sprocket gear 30, secured upon a shaft 8| journaled transversely the head, is adapted to be driven by the gear 28 by means of a connecting sprocket chain 32. An elongated roller 88, medially positioned within the head upon the shaft 3|, is provided and is adapted to be rotated at a uniform rate of speed by the sprocket 38, the function of which willv be later explained.

A pair of spaced segmental rollers 34 are provided in vertical alinement with, above, and in resilient contact with the aforementioned cylinindependent horizontal stub shafts 35. These segmental rollers, each comprising an attachment hub 36 and an integrally extended semicylindrical, or partially cylindrical, body or roller portion 31, are adapted to be rotated in unison withone another and at a constant rate of speed by means of sprocket gears 88 secured upon the' outer extremities of the stub shafts 85, the sprocket gears 88 being connected by sprocket chains 3| to similar sprocket gears 4l upon the outer ends of the shaft 25. Thus it will be seen that these rollers, i. e., the upper and lower rollers, are operatively positioned so as to be rotated in unison i wardly toward the rear of the machine, whereb the blanks upon being positionedwithin the bight of the rollers will be drawn therebetween one at a time and forced rearwardly a predetermined distance, as will be later explained.

Conventional separator disks 4 I, mounted upon angularly positioned stub shafts 42 transversely journaled in brackets 48 and through the head at 48", are provided atop the machine and are adapted to be driven by horizontal shafts 44 by means of intermediate bevel gears 45, the shafts 44 being continuously driven by gear trains 44 driven by gears 41 on the shaft 35l on either side of the machine. Reciprocatory stop pins 48 actuated by the conventional cam and follower system 48 operate in synchronization with the separator disks, both the separator disks and stop pins serving to separate and retain the unused blanks in the conventional manner, a ratched Y, blank holder 50 being provided for retaining the blanks until drawn downwardly, as will be later explained.

An adjustable cross type blank or sheet holder is provided beneath the separator disks for supporting the blanks 5 I as fed to the machine. This holder comprises a ibottom plate 52 medially and angularly positioned within and parallel to the base frames B, the upper, arcuate end 53 being directed toward the bight of the aforementioned rollers and the lower end being secured to a cross-bar 54, which is in turn secured to the base frames B, a transversely positioned guide arm plate 55 slidably mounted upon the bottom plate, and a pair of guide -arms 58 each slidably mounted upon either side of the guide arm plate, each guide arm having a guide pin 51 rigidly secured thereto and extended perpendicularly upwardly therefrom. A horizontal prevent sidewise displacement of said sheets. A

.drical roller 83, and are rigidly mounted upon recess 5I) is formed in the lower roller for the reception of the guide strip so that the upper surface of this strip will be flush with the top of the roller. A series of threaded apertures 8| are provided near the upper end of the bottom plate for attaching thereto a suction hose 62 for releasably holding the blanks when the machine is in operation. The suction is continuous during the operation of the machine.

A suction arm 63 rigidly mounted upon a tubular shaft 54 and having an air duct communicating therewith is journaled across the head C, and is adapted to be reciprocated below the stacked blanks 5I so as to intermittently draw the lowermost blank downwardly into the bight of the rollers, the suction for this arm being obtained from any suitable source and connected is oscillated by a conventional cam andollower system 66 externally positioned upon the far end of the shaft 28, the follower being pivotally connected to the tubular arm by the crank 61.

A sprocket gear 68 is rigidly mounted on the aforementioned power shaft I8 within the frames B and is connected by means of a sprocket chain 69 to a large sprocket gear 10 secured upon a shaft 1I journaled between the side frames B in the horizontal Webs D thereof. The shaft 1| has a small spur gear 12 secured thereto adapted to mesh with and drive a relatively larger gear 13 secured upon a stub shaft 14 journaled through one of the adjacent webs D, the gear 13 being also within the side frames B. A quick change type gear 15 secured in any conventional manner upon the stub shaft 1l externally of the machine is provided and is adapted to mesh with a mating quick change" type gear 16 secured upon a shaft 11, the shaft 11 being journaled transversely the tion to one another bythe spur gears 15 and 16,

and that the speed of the former may be changed by changing the ratio of the latter gears, the advantage of which will be later shown. A`

A pair of endless belts 82 are provided upon and about the shaft 11 in a spaced, transverse relationship to one another, and travel upwardly and rearwardly about spaced rollers 83 journaled upon a shaft 84 secured atop the head C at the rear thereof, and travel downwardly about the rear of a drum type roller 85 secured upon a shaft 86, journaled through the head at 81, whereupon the belts continue downwardly and forwardly over a surface plate 88 to the shaft 11, tension pulleys 89 or the like being provided for keeping the belts taut. The aforementioned drum type roller 85 is rotated by means of a large spur gear 90, secured upon the shaft 86 thereof,

being driven by a small gear 9| secured upon a shaft 92 journaled across the head. This shaft has a sprocket gear 93 secured upon the outer end thereof externally of the machine, on the operators side, the said sprocket being connected by means of a sprocket chain 94 to a sprocket gear 95 upon the shaft 11 by means of which this system, that is, the drum roller 85, is operated at the same surface speed as the shafts 11-80, the shafts 11-80 being regarded as rollers. A similar pair of endless belts 96 is provided about the shaft 80, as showt. in Fig. 3, the path of travel being upwardly over the surface plate 88 atop the belts 82, about the drum roller 85 beneath the belts 82, upwardly over the drum onto a. bed plate 91, forwardly over a roller 98 journaled upon a shaft 99, and downwardly about the shaft 80, an idler roller |00 being provided for keeping the belts taut. A central endless belt |0I is provided about the drum roller 85, the forward roller 98 and an idler roller |02 for assisting the belts 96 as will be later shown. Thus by lthis arrangement the belts 82--96, |0| are driven toward each other at the same rate of speed, the speed of which may be varied by changing the ratio of the gears 15-16.

A spacing or calibrating mechanism |03 is provided atop the bed plate 91 upon the belt |0| for spacing the blanks as they pass therebetween. This spacing mechanism consists of a forked arm holder |03 pivotally and medially mounted upon the shaft 84 by means of the apertured forks |04, the juncture of the forks or body portion |05 having a bore |06 -extended therethrough for the reception of the forwardly extended spacing arm |01, a cap screw |08 being provided for securing the arm therein. A spacing roller carriage |09, somewhat similar in appearance to the forked armholder, is slidably positioned upon the arm I 01 by virtue of a bore I0 extended through the body portion I thereof, a Wing bolt I2 being provided for releasably securing the carriage to the arm |01. A pair of rollers ||3 are rotatably mounted within a pair of forks Ill depended from the body portion II I of the carriage and are adapted to ride upon the central endless belt IOIuntil the blanks 5| come in contact therewith, whereupon the blanks intermittently pass thereunder, this being the point at which the blanks are spaced to expose the desired amount of surface. A guide strip ||5 of such width, as to permit it to be nicely yet freely positioned between the spacing rollers I3 is provided and is extended forwardly to and between the spaced segmental rollers 34 and in horizontal alinement with the bight thereof for guiding the blanks beneath the spacing rollers, the forward portion ||6 being curved upwardly for this purpose, there being a slotr||1 formed therein for the reception of the suction arm on its downward stroke. This guide strip has an upwardly extended pin ||8 for insertion into a holder H9, a cap screw |20 being provided for securing the pin therein. The holder |I9 has a bore I2| extended therethrough by means of which it is positioned upon the arm |01, a cap screw |22 being provided therein for securing it upon the arm. v

A coiled expansion spring |23 has its upper end positioned in a recess orv niche |24 in the rearward underside ofthe body portion |06 of the forked arm holder |03, and has its lower end positioned over a pin |25 integrally formed with a spring holder |26, the said spring holder being immovably secured rto the shaft 84,` within the formed arm holder, by means of a cap screw |21. The normal action of this spring tends to force the spacing rollers and'guide strip downwardly upon the belt |0I, thereby assuring a perfect spacing of the overlapped blanks.

In Ithe operation of this device, the blanks to be fed to the machine, and spaced in a superposed order, are evenly and orderly stacked upon the blank holder, whereupon the guide pins 51 are adjusted so as to hold the blanks snugly yet releasably against the ratchet blank holder 50. The spacing roller carriage is then moved forwardly or backwardly upon the spacing arm according to the length of the blanks to be fed to the machine, and the positioning of these spacing rollers may be done by Calibrating the spacing arm or by trial and error. Next the correct set or pair of segmental feed-rollers are selected, and secured upon their respectiveshafta, thereby determining the intermittent travel of the blanks between lthe feed rollers. Finally the correct set of spacing gears (gears 15 and .16) are selected and secured upon their respective shafts, thereby governing the speed of the conveyor or endless belts. After these adjustments have been made, the' machine is set in operation whereupon the oscillatory suction arm seizes thelowermost blank and pulls it downwardly through the rotating septhe stacked blanks. In the meantime the suction arm has returned to its upward position, thereby completing a cycle of operation. As the blanks are intermittently discharged from the continuously rotating feed rollers, they are forced between the guide strip H5 of the spacing mechanism and the rearwardly moving endless belts by means of which the first blank is carried into contact with the spacing rollers H3, at which point the blank definitely assumes the speed of the endless belts therebelow, the spacing rollers holding the blank in firm contact therewith. Inasmuch as the endless belts are moving at a 4 slower rate of speed relative to the feed rollers,

the blanks assume a definite and constant superposed relationship to one another, Awhich is maintained by additional conveyor belts until it is no longer desirable.

Figs. and 11 show a modified form of hose connection for the bottom plate of the blank holder.

As shown in Fig. 13, a modified type of adjustable, segmental roller is shown that is intended to replace the aforementioned xed type of segmental roller when the feeding and spacing machine is to be used in connection with blanks or sheets having window apertures of varying depths, which are dimcult to withdraw from the pile if the advancing segment is deep enough to withdraw the blanks a greater space than slightly less than the depth of the aperture of the window. This leads to the adoption of a series of easily removable and replaceable plates of different depths adapted to draw out the window blanks slightly less than the depth of the window aperture. The calibration and holding down of the sheets is preferably accomplished in my modified method by additional suction holes provided to hold down the spaced-out blanks, the vacuum holes being placed in relation to the spaced-out blanks so that the vacuum will`beA exerted against the exposed rear edge underportion of each exposed sheet.

The adjustable segmental roller |29 consists of a body portion |30, similar in shape to that of the fixed segmental roller, upon which is secured by screws I3I or the like a plate i32 of the same radius of curvature as the body portion, various sized plates being provided` so that the depth of the segment is less than the depth of thev window aperture in the -blank being fed through my device, in order to prevent the catching of the rear edge of the windowaperture of the blank being advancedagainst the forward edge of the window aperture of the blank in advance of and beneath the blank being advanced by the segmental rollers.

By the mechanism which I have set `forth and described above, I am enabled to maintain an exact longitudinal alinement of the advancing overlapped sheets in a true rotary manner, as distinguished from the start and stop movement of the reciprocatry or Geneva type, whereby I provide a simple machine and increase the productive capacity thereof.' As the longitudinal of the sheets, it preserves the proper synchronization of the spacing unit with the folding or other succeeding units.

I claim:

1. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, roller segment mechanism comprising a roller segment and a roller opposed thereto for intermittently engaging and advancing blanks step by step from said stack, sucker mechanism for introducing the blanks from said stack between said roller and roller segment, said roller segment having a circumferential extent smaller than the shortest sheet oi.' said stack so that said sheets are advanced by said roller segment mechanism in overlapping relation, subsequently acting mechanism for engaging and advancing each blank only after it has been advanced through a plurality of steps by the roller segment, and means for engaging said blanks after they are disengaged from the stack and before they reach the subsequently acting mechanism to hold stationary between the roller and roller segment, during the ,periods when the roller segment is not in position to co-act with the roller, sheets which would otherwise be uncontrolled in such periods.

2. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, roller segment mechanism comprising a roller segment and a roller opposed thereto for intermittently gripping blanks and advancing them from said stack, picker mechanism for successively introducing the blanks from the stack between the roller and the roller segment, said roller segment having a circumferential extent smaller than the shortest blank of said stack so that said blanks are advanced by said roller segment mechanism step by step in overlapping relation, and suction means for gripping the exposed trailing margin of a blank which has been advanced by the roller segment mechanism, but which still requires to be advanced by such mechanism in order to be moved clear thereof, to hold such blank against shifting during a period when the roller segment runs out of coacting relation with the roller.

3. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, roller segment mechanism comprising a roller segment and a roller opposed thereto -for intermittently gripping blanks and advancing them from said stack, picker mechanism for successively introducing the blanks from the stack between the roller and the roller segment, said roller segment having a circumferential extent smaller than the shortest blank of said stack so that said blanks are advanced by said roller segment mechanism step by step in overlapping relation, and means for yieldingly gripping a blank which has been disengaged from the stack and which has been advanced by the roller segment mechanism, but which still requires to be advanced by such mechanism in order to be moved clear thereof, to hold such blank against shifting during a period when the roller segment runs out of coacting relation with the roller. L

4. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, roller segment mechanism comprising a roller segment and a roller opposed thereto for intermittently engaging and advancing blanks from said stack between said roller and roller segment, said rollei segment having a circumferential extent smaller than the shortest sheet of said stack so that said sheets are adalinement is always exact, as well as the spacing vanced by said roller segment mechanism in overlapping relation, and suction means for engaging said blanks at a point between said stack and said roller segment mechanism to hold a blank against disarrangement between the roller and roller segment, during a period of non-engagement therewith of the roller segment.

5. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, mechanism comprising a roller segment for intermittently engaging the blanks and advancing them step by step in overlapping relation, subsequent blank feeding mechanism for taking over control of the overlapped blanks from the roller segment mechanism, and suction means for engaging a blank which extends through said roller segment mechanism and which has not yet passed into the control of the subsequent feeding mechanism, to retain said blank against disarrangement during an interval when it is not engaged by the roller segment mechanism.

6. In combination, means for supporting a stack of blanks, mechanism comprising a roller segment for advancing blanks from said stack in overlapping relationship, forwarding means bevond said roller segment mechanism, said forsheets in spaced relationship to each other, said means comprising a suction member for seizing and moving the lowermost of said stacked sheets,

segmental feed rollers positioned upon and inV alignment with a lowe'rcylindrical roller, means ing arm and a spacing roller secured upon the spacing arm and adapted to ride upon the spaced blanks, a continuously travelling belt located be" neath the spaced blanks, a bed plate over which the belt travels, means for driving said belt, and

means for changing the speed of travel of said warding means operating at a lesser speed than that of said roller segment mechanism, and means for adjusting said forwarding mechanism in position so as to cause it to align and take over control of each blank of the advancing band at an instant just prior to the conclusion of the final advance thereof by said roller segment mechanism. y

7. In a sheet-spacing mechanism, a sheet holder for releasably holding stacked sheets, means for advancing in overlapped position sheets in spaced relationship to each other, segmental feed rollers positioned upon andin alignment with a lower cylindrical roller, means for continuously rotating said rollers, means for positioning sheets into the bight of the said rollers, means for advancing a plurality of sheets forwardly a predetermined distance while said sheets are retained in exact longitudinal alignment, and a mechanism for continuing the advancement of said sheets the instant said sheets are released fromy said rollers comprising a spacing arm, a spacing roller secured upon said arm and adapted to ride upon the spaced blanks, a continuously travelling belt located beneath the spaced blanks, ya bed plate over which the belt travels, means for driving said belt, and means for changing the speed of travel of said belt.

8. In a sheet-spacing mechanism, a sheet holder fer Ireleasably holding stacked sheets, means for advancing in overlapped position sheets in spaced relationship to each other, segmental feed rollers positioned upon and in alignment with a lower bylindrical roller, means for continuously rotating said rollers, means for positioning sheets into the bight of the said rollers, means for advancing a plurality of sheets forwardly a predetermined distance while said sheets are retained in exact longitudinal alignment, and a mechanism for continuing the advancement of said sheets the instant said sheets are released from said rollers comprising a spacing arm, a spacing roller slidably secured upon the spacing arm and adapted to ride upon the spaced blanks, a continuously travelling belt lo- -catd beneath the spaced blanks, a bed plate over which the belt travels, means for driving said belt, and means for changing the speed of travel of said belt.

9. In a sheet-spacing mechanism, a sheet holder for releasably holding stacked sheets, means for advancing in overlapped position belt.

l0. In a sheet-spacing mechanism, a sheet holder for releasably holding stacked sheets, means for advancing in overlapped position sheets in spaced relationship to each other, said means comprising a reciprocating suction arm for seizing and moving the lowermost of said stacked sheets, segmental feed rollers positioned upon and in alignment with a lower cylindrical roller, means for continuously rotating said rollers, means for positioning sheets into the bight. of said rollers, means for advancing a plurality of sheets forwardly a predetermined distance while said sheets are retained in exact longitudinal alignmentand a mechanism for continuing the advancement of said sheets the instant said sheets are released from said rollers comprising a spacing arm, a spacing roller secured upon the spacing arm and adapted to ride upon the spaced blanks, 'a continuously travelling-belt located beneath the spaced blanks, a bed plate over which the belt travels, means for driving said belt, and means for changing the speed of travel of said belt.

11. In a sheet-spacing mechanism, a sheet `holder for releasably holding stacked sheets,

means for advancing in overlapped Position.

sheets in spaced relationship to each other, said means comprising a reciprocating suction arm for seizing and moving the lowermost of said stacked sheets, segmental feed rollers positioned upon and in alignment with a lower cylindrical roller, means for continuously rotating said rollers, means for transversely arching the sheets advancing into the bight of the said rollers, means for advancing a plurality of sheets forwardly a predetermined distance while said sheets are retained inexact longitudinal alignment, and a mechanism for continuing the advancement of said sheets the instant said sheets are released from said rollers comprising a spacing arm, a spacing roller secured upon the spacing arm and adapted to fride upon the spaced blanks, a continuously traveling belt located beneath the spaced blanks, a bed plate over which the belt travels, means for driving said belt, and

means for changing the speed of travel of said lupon the spacing arm and adapted to ride uponthe spaced blanks, a continuously travelling belt located beneath the spaced blanks, a bed plate over which the belt travels, means Afor driving said belt. and means for changing the speed of travel of saidbelt.

13. In' an apparatus for arranging and advancing sheets in tanned out relation, in combination, a support for a stack of sheets, roller mechanism comprising opposed rotary members for inter-l mittently gripping sheets between themto advance the sheets step by step, means for periodically placing the leading margins of -the sheets from the stack one after another in the space between the rotary members, subsequently acting mechanism for engaging and advancing each sheet only after it has -been advanced through a plurality of steps by the roller mechanism, and means for holding stationary during a period when the rotary members are out of sheet gripping relation to one another, a partially advanced sheet between the rotary members which has become disengaged from the stack and which would otherwise be uncontrolled in such period.

14. In an apparatus for arranging and advancing sheets in farmed out relation, in combination, a support for astack of sheets, roller segment mechanism comprising roller segment means and roller means opposed thereto for intermittently gripping the sheets and advancing them step by step through steps equal in extent to only a fraction oi' a sheet length, means for i mental feed rollers positioned upon and in alignment with a lower cylindrical roller, means for periodically introducing the leading margins oi' sheets from the stack one after another between the roller segment means and the roller means.A

subsequently acting mechanism for engaging and advancing each sheet only after it has been advanced through a plurality of steps by the roller segment mechanism, and means for gripping a sheet which has been advanced by the roller segment mechanism, but which still requires to be advanced by such mechanism in order to be moved clear thereof, to hold stationary during a period when the roller segment means runs out of sheet gripping relation with the rollerl means, such sheet after it has become disengaged from the stack so that it would otherwise be uncontrolled in such period.

15. In an apparatus for arranging and advancing sheets in tanned out relation, in combination, a support for a stack of sheets, roller segment mechanism comprising roller segment means and roller means opposed thereto for lnterxnittently gripping the sheets and advancing them step by step through steps equal in extent to only a fraction of a sheet length, means for periodically introducing the leading margins of sheets from the stack one after another between the roller segment means and the roller means, constantly running mechanism for engaging each sheet only after it has been advanced through a plurality of steps by the roller segment mechanism, and advancing it continuously in i'anned out relation with the sheets which have preceded it, means for gripping a sheet. which has been advanced by the roller segment mechanism, but which still requires to be advanced by such mechanism in order to be moved clear thereof, to hold stationary, during a period when the roller segment means runs out of sheet gripping relation with the roller means, such sheet after it has become disengaged from the stack so that it would otherwise be uncontrolled in such period.

' CHARLES F. PFLANZE. 

